Elect a New IOC President that Actively Condemns Russia's Anti-Gay Laws

The new IOC president will be elected Into office before the 2014 Olympics (September 2013 in Buenos Aires), and he or she must strongly condemn Russia's anti-gay laws and human rights abuses. He/she must push Russia for accountability to the Olympics Charter which states that "discrimination is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement."

It’s been a horrible year for Russian LGBT people and their supporters. On June 30 this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law banning "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations to minors," severely limiting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. As feared, there has already been a dramatic increase in brutal and abusive anti-gay violence across the country since the law was passed.

Here are a just few examples of what the law means:

• people can be fined or jailed for just bringing up pro-gay topics in conversation

• gay couples can be fined or jailed for hand-holding or even wearing a shirt with a rainbow flag

• openly gay or pro-gay foreigners can be arrested, detained, or expelled from the country

• pro-gay rallies or protests are banned

That’s why I’m asking the IOC committee members to drill all six committee president candidates about their views on Russia’s anti-gay laws and to select the candidate who will best advocate for LGBT rights and condemn homophobia at these and all future Olympics.

Please sign and submit the petition below, or email, call, write, or fax the International Olympic Committee at: